The 4th CCNN Division "3 Gennaio" (CCNN standing for Camicie Nere, Blackshirts) was one of seven Black Shirt Divisions that were organized and fought in the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. Its commander was Generale di Divisione Alessandro Traditi. The name 3 Gennaio ("3 January") was given in honor of the date of assumption of dictatorial powers by Benito Mussolini on 3 January 1925.
Order of Battle (3 October 1935)[]
4th "3 Gennaio" Blackshirts Division
- 101st Blackshirts Legion "Libica"
- 101st Blackshirts Battalion (former 1st "Cirene" Bn from the Libya Territorial Legion)
- 102nd Blackshirts Battalion (former 2nd "Cirene" Bn from the Libya Territorial Legion)
- 101st MMG coy
- 101st pack-artillery battery
- 104th Blackshirts Legion "S.Santarosa"
- 104th "S.Santarosa" Blackshirts Battalion
- 111th "Monferrato" Blackshirts Battalion
- 104th MMG coy
- 104th pack-artillery battery
- 215th Blackshirts Legion "Cimino"
- 215th "Cimino" Blackshirts Battalion
- 220 "Giulio Cesare" Blackshirts Battalion
- 215th MMG coy
- 215th pack-artillery battery
- 4th Blackshirts MMG Battalion
- 4th Artillery Battalion (65L17 - Army)
- 4th Special Engineers Coy (mixed Blackshirts and Army)
- 2 x Replacements Battalions
Notes:
- Additionally the Division had a Medical Section, Logistics Section, and transport of a Pack-Mules unit (1,600 mules), and a Mixed Trucks unit (80 light trucks).
Order of Battle (9 December 1940)[]
- 250. CCNN Legion
- 150. G. Carli CCNN Battalion
- 154. D. Mastronuzzi CCNN Battalion
- 156. Lucania CCNN Battalion
- 270. CCNN Legion
- 170. Agrigentum CCNN Battalion
- 172. Enna CCNN Battalion
- 174. Segesta CCNN Battalion
- 4. CCNN Anti-tank Company
- 204. CCNN MMG Battalion
- 204. Artillery Regiment
- 204. Mixed Engineer Battalion
- 204. Medical Section
- 204. Logistics Section
- Transport Section (1,600 Pack-Mules)
- Mixed Trucks Section (80 light and medium trucks)
Notes:
- Took part in the invasion of Egypt and was destroyed at Sidi Barrani while protecting the retreat of the other Italian units.
Sources[]
- Lucas, Ettore; Giorgio de Vecchi (1976). Storia delle Unità Combattenti della MVSN 1923-1943. Giovanni Volpe Editore. pp. 63–116.
- George F. Nafziger - Italian Order of Battle: An organizational history of the Italian Army in World War II (3 vol)
The original article can be found at 4th Blackshirt Division (3 January) and the edit history here.